Amalgamator.



PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905.

B. A. LANGEIDGE.

AMALGAMATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

A TTORNE VS No. 780,109. PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905.

B. A. LANGRIDGE.

AMALGAMATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG. 4, 1902.

A TTOHNE Y5,

NTTEn STATES Patented January 17, 1905 BERTIE A. LANGRIDGE, OF BOULDER,COLORADO.

AIVIALGAMATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,109, dated January1'7, 1905.

Application filed December 4, 1902. Serial No. 138,869.

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that I, Banrrn A. LANenIDe'n, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Boulder, in the countyof Boulder and State of Colorado, have invented a new and improvedAmalgamator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to an apparatus for recovering gold and silverfrom crushed ores by amalgamating such metals 'with quicksilver.

1n carrying out my invention I provide a casing the closures of whichare arranged to be held by lock and key, so that the valuable contentsof the amalgamator cannot be taken by unauthorized persons. The top partof the casing is provided with a spreader which distributes the pulpover a sieve or strainer, and from this the pulp falls upon anamalgamated-copper plate. Below this plate are ar rangedamalgamated-copper riflics of a special construction, to be hereinafterdescribed.

In order to insure collecting such particles of the precious metals asmay for any reason pass the rifi'les, I provide a chamber below theriliies, which chamber is filled with soft annealed copper subjected toa quicksilver bath. This provides a large surface over which the goldand silver must pass, and its collection is thus assured. From thischamber the pulp passes throliigh a specially-constructed trap forcollecting such quicksilver and amalgam as may become detached in theupper part of the apparatus and thence to the overflow.

This specification is an exact description of one example of myinvention, while the claims define the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the invention on the line 1 1 of Fig.2. Fig. 2 is a plan View showing various parts broken away, and Figs. 3and 4 are detail sections of the riiiies.

The casing or exterior walls of the apparatus comprise a base-section10, a body-section 11, and a cover 12. The casing is preferably ofrectangular form, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the base 10 has a top wall14, on

which bears the bottom wall 15 of the bodysection 1.1. A flange 16projects outward from the lower edge of the body-secti0n and carriesstaples 17, which extend through the outer portions of the wall 14. andare adapted to receive locks or other means for fastening the parts 10and 11 together. The cover 12 has downwardly-extending flanges 18, andthese flanges carry hasps 19, coacting with staples 20, by means ofwhich looks may be applied to hold the cover in place. By this means theparts of the exterior casing may be locked securely together so that theamalgamate cannot be taken by unauthorized persons; but when the locksare released the top may be removed and the body-section may be liftedoflf of the base.

21 indicates a pulp-feed pipewhich passes centrally into the top of thecasing and has at its discharge end a collar 22, said collar having atopposite sides slits 23, which serve to discharge the pulp upon thespreader-plates 24. These plates are fan-shaped, as best shown in Fig.2, being fluted or bent, and the bends gradually increasing in depth andwidth toward the discharge edges of the spreaderplates, so that the pulpwhich is discharged through the openings 23 is spread out for the entirehorizontal length of the casing at each side thereof.

26 indicates two triangular plates which are placed, respectively,between the spreaderplates 24:, these parts 24: and 26 forming,essentially, a low pyramid.

27 indicates a partition which extends vertically through the casing,this partition running from a support 28 upward to the plates 26 andserving to sustain said plates and the spreader-plates 24.

, Below the spreader-plates 2 1 is arranged a screen 29, which extendshorizontally throughout the entire area of the casing and serves tocollect pieces of wood and other debris which may be passed with thepulp into the amalgamator. Below the screen 29 at each side of thepartition 27 is an amalgamated-copper plate 30, these plates slopingdownward from each side of the partition 27 and discharging at theirsideedges under shelves 31, respectively, at the sides of the casing andforming extensions of the riflies. The riffles are arranged at each sideof the partition 27 and consist in pairs of plates or riflie members 32,said pairs of plates being arranged in zigzag relation at each side ofthe partition. These plates are constructed of copper and are coveredwith quicksilver after the usual practice. The plates 32, forming therifiies, as best shown in Figs. 3 and comprise, essentially, plainportions 32, lying at different elevations and forming runs, these runsbeing separated by shoulders 32. The shoulders of the upper plate areset slightly in advance of the corresponding shoulders of the bottomplate, and the members of each pair of shoulders run in essentialparallelism. It will be seen that by this construction the pulp andwater in rushing over the plain portions 32 will strike against theupper shoulders 32 and be thereupon thrown back against thecorresponding lower shoulders. This movement of the pulp and Water underthe force of gravitation causes a most intimate contact between the pulpand the amalgamated-copper plate to insure gathering of all the valuablecontents of the pulp. Said intimate contact is due principally to twoconditions-to wit, the impact of the rushing water and pulp against thenumerous shoulders and the rolling or turning action imparted to theWater and pulp as it strikes against the first or upper shoulder and isthrown down and back against the coacting lower shoulder. The shoulders32 may be either straight, as indicated in Fig. 3. or they may be in theform of double, compound, or other curves, as indicated in Fig. 4. Thecurved form I believe to be preferable, since its curves involve to agreater degree the above-referred-to rolling motion of the water andpulp, which action is of much importance to the efficiency of theapparatus. In Fig. 1 both forms are illustrated, and, if desired, in thecomplete apparatus the riflies may be arranged alternately, one pairhaving square shoulders and the other pair having curved shoulders. Theriflie-plates 32, as shown in Fig. 1, are removably placed in positionby means of ledges or shelves 33, fastened to the partition 27 and tothe side walls of the body of the casing. The amalgamated plates 30 arealso held in position by means of ledges 34, carried on the partitionand having grooves which receive tongues 30 on the amalgamated plates.The cleats or ledges 33 also have grooves which receive tongues 32 onthe bottom riflie-plates 32.

The bottom rifiies discharge the pulp upon perforated copper plates 35,arranged one at each side of the partition 27, and below these subjectto a quicksilver bath, so that any of the precious metal which mightpossibly pass the rifiies will in moving through the complicatedinterstices of the shavings be caught therein.

Fastened to the lower portion of the body 11 of the casing is a funnelor spout 37, which projects downward through the Walls l t and 15 intothe base 10 and has a centrally-located discharge-opening, as shown. Inthe base 10 is a circular bowl or trap 38, in the center of which is anupwardly-extending conical projection 39, which passes into thedischargeorifice of the, funnel 37*. Therefore the pulp which falls fromthe screens 36 will in passing through the funnel 37 strike theprojection 39 and be given a curved or swirling movement around thewalls of the bowl 38. This swirling or gyratory movement will cause anyparticles of amalgam which might have become detached from the rifiiesand shavings and also such particles of quicksilver as may pass from theupper part of the apparatus to settle into boxes 40, which are formed inthe bottom of the bowl 38 and are preferably two in number, one at eachside of the projection 39. The parts 38, 39, and 40 are constructed ofcopper, and the boxes 40 are adapted to be filled with small rocks orother refractory material, (indicated at 4:1.) 42 indicates pipes orother means for taking off such quicksilver and amalgam as may find itsWay into the boxes 40. In the upper parts of the bowl 38 outletorifices4:3 are formed. These orifices are adjacent to orifices 44, formed inthe base-section 10 of the casing, so that the mud and waste liquidforming the tailings of the operation in the amalgamator may be passedofi from the bowl 38. This material being lighter than the amalgam orquicksilver will readily separate therefrom, the amalgam or quicksilverfalling into the boxes 40 and being retained by the rocks therein.

The operation of the apparatus will be fully understood by personsskilled in the art and will not require any special description. Thevarious parts 30, 32, and 37 a are suitably amalgamated, so that thegold and silver in passing through the apparatus will adhere to theparts named. These are subsequently removed from the apparatus andsubjected to the usual processes, by which the gold and silver areextracted from the amalgam. The copper shavings hereinbefore referred toare turned or cut from soft annealed copper, clean and bright, andbefore being placed in position in the amalgamator are thoroughly coatedwith quicksilver. hen so coated, they are placed loosely in position sothat the pulp after passing the amalgamated plates of the apparatus willfall through the entire mass of shavings, thus bringing the flour-goldinto the most intimate association with the amalgamated copper andsaving that which otherwise would be lost. It is well known that minersexperience great loss in flourgold, which ordinarily floats in the pulp,lacking suflicient specific gravity to fall to the bottom; but by meansof the amalgamated-copper plates as provided by me this flour-gold maybe saved.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of myinvention may be resorted to at will without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. Hence I consider myself entitled to all suchvariations as may lie within the scope of my claims.

Having thus descri bed my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. An amalgamator, comprising an exterior casinghaving a feed-pipe entering its upper portion, fan-shapedspreader-plates located in the upper portion of the casing and eachbeing fluted or bent from its inner corners outward to its outer edges,said inner corners lying directly adjacent to the inlet-pipe and theflutes 01' bends gradually increasing in width and depth toward thedischarge edges of the spreader-plates, two additional triangular plateslocated between the spreader-plates at each side of the inlet-pipe, allof said plates forming essentially a low pyramid, and amalgamatingdevices below the same.

2. An amalgamator, comprising an exterior casing having a feed-orificein its upper end, means for spreading the pulp, said means comprisingtwo fluted fan-shaped plates having their inner corners adjacent to eachother and to the pulp-feed orifices, and two additional plates placedbetween the first-named plates respectively at the side of the pulp-feedorilices, the whole forming essentially a low pyramid, and amalgamatingdevices below the pulpspreading means.

3. An amalgamator, comprising an exterior casing having a feed device inits upper end, means for spreading the pulp, said means comprising twofluted fan-shaped plates having their inner corners adjacent to eachother and to the pulp-feed orifice, and two additional plates placedbetween the first-named plates respectively at the sides of thepulp-feed orifices, the whole forming essentially a low pyramid, and thesaid fluted fan-shaped plates being bent from their inner corners totheir outer or discharge edges, the bends or corrugations graduallyincreasing in depth and width toward the discharge edges, andamalgamating devices below the pulp-spreading means.

4. An amalgamator, comprising an exterior casing having a feed-pipeentering its upper portion, fan-shaped spreader-plates located in theupper portion of the casing and each being fluted or bent from its innercorners outward .to its outer edges, said inner corners lying directlyadjacent to the inlet-pipe and the flutes or bonds gradually increasingin width and depth toward the discharge edges of the spreader plates,two additional triangular plates located between the spreader-plates ateach side of the inlet-pipe, all of said plates forming essentially alow pyramid, and amalgamating devices below the same, said amalgamatingdevices comprising ri'liles receiving the pulp from the spreader-plates,a mass of finely-divided amalgamated metal placed below thespreadcr-plates through which metal the pulp is passed, and a trap belowsaid a1nalgamated metal.

5. An amalgamator, comprising a body or casing having a pulp-inlet atthe upper p0rtion, a spreader located below the same, a series ofriflies receiving the pulp from the spreader and located below thespreader, a mass of finely-divided amalgamated metal placed below theriflles, and a trap for the amalgam below said amalgamated metal.

6. An amalgamator, comprising an exterior casing or body having an inletat its upper portion, a spreader located below the inlet, a series ofriflles receiving the pulp from the spreader and comprising essentiallyparallel plates inclined downward from their receiv ing edges, and saidplates having horizontal corrugations therein, a mass of finely-dividedamalgamated metal below the riflle-plates, and a trap for the amalgambelow said amalgamated metal.

7 An amalgamator, com irising a casing, amalgamating devices in theupper portion thereof, a spout extendingdownward from the amalgamatingdevices, a bowl or trap in the lower portion of the easing into whichtrap the spout projects, said bowl or trap having a tapered projectionextending upward toward the mouth of the spout, and a box formed in thebottom of the bowl or trap to receive the amalgam, said bowl or trapbeing perforated at its upper portion above the mouth of the spent, andthe casing being perforated adjacent to the first-named perforations,for the purposes specified.

8. An amalgamator, comprising a casing, amalgamating devices in theupper portion thereof, a spout extending downward from the amalgamatingdevices, a bowl or trap into which the spout projects, said bowl or traphaving a tapering projection extending upward into the mouth of thespent, a box formed in the bottom of the bowl to receive the amalgam,and particles of refractory material placed in said box.

9. An amalgamator, comprising a casing,

amalgamating devices in the upper portion thereof, a spout extendingdownward from the amalgamating devices, a bowl or trap into which thespout projects, said bowl or trap having a tapering projection extendingupward into the mouth of the spout, two boxes formed in the bottom ofthe bowl respectively at the sides of said projection to receive theamalgam and particles of refractory material placed in said boxes.

10. An amalgamator, comprising a casing or body having a centralpartition extending prising a base-section, a trap therein for thevertically therein and a pulp-inlet at its upper portion,spreader-plates below the inlet and extending respectively at the sidesof the partition, rifiies at each side of the partition below thespreader, masses of finely-divided amalgamated metal below the riflilesand respectively at the sides of the partition, a spout located belowthe partition and receiving the material from said amalgamated metal,and a trap into which the spout projects.

11. An amalgamator, having a casing comarnalgamator, a body-section,means for removably fastening the base and body sections together, apulp distributing or spreading means in the upper portion of the body,rifiiles below said distributing means, a mass of amalgamated-metalparticles arranged below the riflies, said riflles and metal particlesbeing also in the body of the casing, a cover for the body-section, andmeans for removably fastening the cover in place.

12. A riflle for amalgamators, comprising two riflie members incliningdownward from their receiving ends and arranged one above the other, thelower member having a series of essentially plane portions lying atdifl'erent elevations and forming runs separated by shoulders, and theupper riflie member having shoulders respectively in advance of theshoulders of the lower member, thereby forming pairs of shoulders, andsaid pairs of shoulders running across the line of movement of the pulpand the members of each pair of shoulders running in essentialparallelism, whereby as the pulp passes down the said plane portions ofthelower riflie member it strikes the shoulders of the upper member andis thereby thrown back against the corresponding lower shoulders.

18. A rifile for amalgamators, comprising two riflie members incliningdownward from their receiving ends and arranged one above the other, thelower member having a series of essentially plane portions lying atdifferent elevations and forming runs separated by shoulders, and theupper riflle member having shoulders respectively in advance of theshoulders of the lower member, thereby forml ing pairs of shoulders, andsaid pairs of shoulders running across the line of movement of the pulpand the members of each pair of shoulders running in essentialparallelism, whereby as the pulp passes down the said plane portions ofthe lower riffie member it strikes the shoulders of the upper member andis thereby thrown back against the corresponding lower shoulders, thesaid shoulders having curved cross-sectional form, for the purposespecified.

14. A riffie for amalgamators, comprising two riflie members incliningdownward from their receiving ends and arranged one above the other,said members each having essentially plane portions lying at difierentelevations and separated by shoulders, the shoulders of the upper memberlying respectively in advance of the shouldersof the lower member,whereby as the pulp passes down the plane portions of the lower memberit strikes the shoulders of the upper member and is thrown back againstthe corresponding shoulders of the lower member.

15. A rifile for amalgamators, comprising two rifile members incliningdownward from their receiving ends and arranged one above the other,said members each having essentially plane portions lying at differentelevations and separated by shoulders, the shoulders of the upper memberlying respectively in advance of the shoulders of the lower member,whereby as the pulp passes down the plane portions of the lower memberit strikes the shoulders of the upper member and is thrown back againstthe corresponding shoulders of the lower member, the shoulders of theupper member projecting downward below the plane portions of the lowermember respectively in advance of the said shoulders of the uppermember.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

BERTIE A. LANGRIDGE.

Witnesses:

JOHN S. KRUM, B. K. HANBURY.

